Advancing Rare Disease Diagnosis and Management using Federated Search

Sano Centre for Computational Medicine is a new International Scientific Foundation located in Kraków, Poland. 

Sano aspires to be a major translational scientific institute, operating at the meeting point of academic science, established MedTech industry, and emerging start-up environment, combining the best of these three perspectives. 

Established with support from the European Commission and the Foundation for Polish Science, Sano aims to be a major driving force behind the advancement of computational medicine for the benefit of healthcare systems worldwide. 

Sano acts as a core technology and expertise provider for industry, and creator of innovation, developing state-of-the-art solutions for healthcare. Thanks to the substantial funding and excellent European partnership network, Sano will bring critical mass to this transformational field of research, in order to translate scientific advancements onto clinical practice. Sano’s ambition is to become the Reference Centre for Computational Medicine in Central Europe and build a reputation as a leading center on a global level.  

As a cross-disciplinary institution, Sano uses machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI), large scale computer simulations, data science, and other computational technologies towards overcoming global challenges in healthcare systems. The research agenda will be executed in close collaboration with Partners in Poland, EU and USA. 

The Clinical Data Science team at Sano is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD student to undertake a research project focused on leveraging federated search to advance rare disease diagnosis and management. Rare diseases pose significant challenges in terms of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment due to their low prevalence and limited data availability. This project aims to develop innovative approaches using federated search to aggregate and analyze diverse biomedical data sources, enabling improved understanding, diagnosis, and management of rare diseases. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Abdeen Hamed, the head of the Clinical Data Science Team.  

• Project title: Advancing Rare Disease Diagnosis and Management using Federated Search
• Level of education: Master’s degree 
• Hours: 40 hours per week 
• Salary indication: up to 9300 PLN gross monthly 
• Supervisors: dr. Ahmed Abdeen Hamed (Clinical Data Science Research Group Leader) 
• Project start: ASAP (September 2023) 

We offer a fixed term contract for 40 hours per week for the duration of 4 years. This will be supported by an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The contract will include opportunities to participate in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and master students.  

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be up to 9300 PLN gross per month, based on a full-time contract (40 hours a week) for the duration of 4 years with private medical care and a sports card. 

This PhD will be a collaboration between Sano and a degree awarding body. The student will be based in Poland, operating in conjunction with the Cyfronet supercomputing centre hosted by AGH.  

Sano offers excellent opportunities for study and development, access to many international conferences on computational medicine and the possibility to grow in a scientific society. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment. They will gain expertise in cutting-edge bioinformatics, data analysis, and federated search techniques. Additionally, the project offers the chance to contribute to rare disease research, potentially leading to advancements in diagnosis and treatments for patients affected by these conditions. 

You are expected to do: 

Required background and skills of the candidate: 

• A Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.  
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, or Java.  
• Familiarity with data integration, data mining, and machine learning techniques.  
• Knowledge of rare disease diagnosis, genetics, and biomedical ontologies is advantageous.  
• Prior experience in working with healthcare data, genomics, or clinical informatics is a plus.  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.  
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.  
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.  
• A keen interest in contributing to rare disease research and making a positive impact on patient outcomes.  

Sano is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity. 

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application. 

Applications in .pdf should include: 

• a cover letter. 
• a curriculum vitae.